PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Soldiers and Airmen from throughout the commonwealth are preparing to protect the people in light of the approaching G-20 Summit, Sept. 24 -25.

Today's training at Hunt Armory focused on civil disturbance for the more than 300 staying here.

"The training is for the possible escalation of force and comes with the use of the baton and shield to get to where we need to be in a crowd," said Sgt. 1st Class George Fitzgerald, Headquarters Company 128th Brigade Support Battalion, Pittsburgh, Pa., an instructor for the civil disturbance team used for Operation Steel Kickoff.

The civil disturbance training is also taking on a deeper significant for the joint force troops because of the diverse background they come from.

"We took Soldiers and Airmen from a lot of diverse jobs to support this mission," said Fitzgerald. "Part of our job description in the National Guard is to support the governor and to support the state of Pennsylvania, so this is just giving us training to support our local police officers during the Summit."

As a native of Pittsburgh, Fitzgerald has some concerns about the disruption and possible destruction of the city.

"I'm from Pittsburgh and I don't want to see someone from outside my city come and cause all kinds of problems for the city said Fitzgerald. "I'm a little invested in the mission."

Spc. Matthew Madrid, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1-107th Field Artillery, New Castle, Pa., said preparation is key in maintaining safety and protecting the people.

"Riots are a worst-case scenario and something none of us want to see happen," said Madrid. "But if it does happen, we all want to be prepared and have the right techniques to keep ourselves safe and ultimately the people safe. That's the oath we take -- to protect the citizens of the United States of America."

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